Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. On This Page. How common are these infections? Top of Page. Who is at risk? Those most likely to be infected include: people who have been previously treated with antibiotics, including vancomycin, for long periods of time people who are hospitalized, have undergone surgical procedures, or have medical devices inserted in their bodies such as catheters people with weakened immune systems, such as patients in intensive care units, or in cancer or transplant wards Top of Page.
How is it spread? VRE are often spread indirectly from person to person on the hands of caregivers or contact with contaminated items e. VRE infection is not spread through the air by a cough or sneeze.
People can carry enterococci or VRE in their bodies without developing any symptoms. A person might be colonized for a long time before getting sick or might never get sick.
VRE can cause infections of the urinary tract, the bloodstream, wounds associated with catheters or surgical procedures, or other body sites. Symptoms will depend on the site of infection, but include fever and pain at the site. Wound infection symptoms might also include swelling, redness, and discharge pus. In most situations, exposure to VRE does not lead to illness. They should wash their hands with soap and water before working with each new patient.
They should also wear disposable gloves. You can also prevent VRE by practicing good hygiene if someone in your home is infected. Follow these tips:. If you have a catheter, get it removed as soon as you no longer need it. The longer it stays in your body, the greater your risk of infection becomes. If you do have VRE, you can help prevent transmission to others by letting your doctor know. Hospitals can use special precautions to help prevent the infection from spreading to other patients.
Your outlook depends on what type of infection you have and your health in general. However, other antibiotics can treat the infection. Find an overview of enterococcus faecalis, a type of bacterial infection, and learn about its causes and symptoms. Neutropenic precautions are steps you can take to avoid infection during this time. Learn about potential causes of vaginal itch during your period, such as irritation, yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis.
Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: January 22, Medically Reviewed. Enterococci are bacteria that normally live in the intestines and in the female genital tract, and are also present in soil and water. According to the U. National Library of Medicine, VRE infections can be difficult to treat because there are fewer antibiotics that can fight this resistant bacteria.
The report classifies 18 antibiotic-resistant germs into three categories — urgent, serious, and concerning. VRE can infect the bloodstream, the urinary tract as a UTI , and wounds associated with catheters or surgery. Urinary tract infections can cause:. VRE is typically not spread through the air like a cold or the flu and it cannot be spread through casual contact such as hugging. To confirm a VRE infection, your doctor will send a sample of your infected wound, blood, urine, or stool to the lab for analysis.
At the lab, technicians will grow the bacteria and test it to see which antibiotics can kill the bacteria. In many cases, someone may carry VRE in their bodies and not develop any symptoms. And sometimes, someone who gets sick from a VRE infection can get better, only to have the infection come back later.
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